Iowa Unemployment

According to the BLS current population survey (CPS), the unemployment rate for Iowa fell 0.1 percentage points in April 2023 to 2.7%. The state unemployment rate was 0.7 percentage points lower than the national rate for the month. The unemployment rate in Iowa peaked in April 2020 at 10.9% and is now 8.2 percentage points lower. From a post peak low of 2.3% in April 2022, the unemployment rate has now grown by 0.4 percentage points. You can also see Iowa unemployment compared to other states.

Unemployment Rate	April 2023	Month/Month	Year/Year
National	3.4%	-0.1	-0.2
Iowa	2.7%	-0.1	+0.4

Note: All comparisons are made with April data as May state level unemployment data has not yet been released.

Unemployment Rate: Iowa, National

Iowa monthly unemployment rate chart from 1990 to April 2023

Note: Recessions shown in gray

Iowa Unemployed

The number of people unemployed in Iowa peaked in April 2020 at 183,898. There are now 137,136 fewer people unemployed in the state. From a recent trough of 40,087 in April 2022, the number of unemployed has now grown by 6,675. Iowa job growth data is also available.

Unemployed Persons	April 2023	Month/Month	Year/Year
Iowa	46,762	-1,546	+6,675

Number of Unemployed Persons